Event: Area00 Singapore Players
Gathering By Tabitha
Tan 27/02/02
Crowds Of Fans Turn Up To Show
Support For Area00
Singapore - Feb 24,
2002
Excitement filled the air at a local LAN
center as over 70 fans of multiplayer web-based strategic
aerial combat game, Area00, gathered to discuss issues
pertaining to the game and meet Area00's designer and
programmer, Tony Choe, in person. At a time where 3D games
with awe-inspiring graphics are the norm, it's rare to see
such excitement over a web-based game.
Players of the game start out as
mercenary pilots who attempt to win fame, glory and a high
rank for themselves by flying missions and fighting with other
players online. When asked, most of the Area00's players cite
the game's high interactivity, ability to generate excitement
in combat and the fact that it is effective in bringing people
together to play in groups as the game's main
attractions.
Thoughts From The Players
"I like the dog-fighting?you can clear out
other people's wing," grinned Edwin, 20, a student.
Indeed, for some the thrill of shooting
opponents out of the sky in their own customised plane is
enough to keep them coming back for more. Others, like Daniel,
19, who is still studying, enjoy some of the game's more
strategic elements.
"I feel it's (the game) got more to do
with diplomacy," he said. "You can join up with other "wings"
(ie. a group of planes) and form alliances to knock out your
opponents."
Currently, according to players of the
game, Koreans and Singaporeans are rated as some of the most
skilled players of Area00. Not surprisingly, a lot of fans
want to see inter-server wars in the future, where players
from different countries can pit their skills against
opponents from other countries. It's really surprising how
high emotions can run when the dog-fight begins, especially
when our local players get deeply involved and passionate
about a game.
"Singaporeans are a very determined lot?
We have LONG memories," laughed Daniel. And all three guys
agree (with no small degree of amusement) that our local
gamers' ability to "Ji Chou" (ie. remember a vendetta) is
indeed legendary. However, they also admitted that it is this
"never say die" spirit that has helped our players to rise
rapidly through the ranks to become some of the best Area00
players around.
It's Hard Being A Game Developer?
Sometimes.
"I worked alone for almost a year before
launching Area00," said Tony Choe, the original designer and
programmer of Area00. Originally Area00 was to be launched as
Area99, but since Tony only managed to finish the game on the
31th of December 1999, he decided to call it Area00 instead to
commemorate the year 2000 when it was released
properly.
"I like military warfare," said Tony,
when asked about his inspiration for Area00. His ultimate
dream is to make an extremely competitive multiplayer game
where all kinds of military units, apart from aircraft, are
able to participate in mass warfare. Not surprisingly, Tony's
two other previous games, U-planet and Hannibal and Scipio are
games that have strong elements of strategic warfare.
However, life as a game developer is
hard, and because Tony is not currently working as a full-time
game developer, he can only devote 1 hour per day to do the
design and programming for Area00. Yet, one has to admire his
determination in carrying out his dream of making Area00
something that gamers around the world will enjoy and
remember.
Fortunately he is aided in his effort by
Darin Bicknell, who helps him in further designing the game
and in collecting the feedback from players all over the
world.
"I'd say that Area00 is a game that is
shaped a lot by its players," said Darin. Some of the gamers'
feedback has found their way into the game."
Inspired by his own childhood experiences
in his father's airplane, Darin brings to Area00 a lot of
technical know-how from actual airplanes. His meeting with
Tony some time back as resulted in a dynamic partnership that
has helped Area00 move in the right
direction.
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